The use of medication as the primary form of treatment for High Blood Pressure has come on in leaps and bounds over the past fifty years and what was once a very inexact science has now become one where by and large it is very exact. The treatment programmes that were instigated seem very primitive in hindsight and thankfully now with the introduction of increasingly sophisticated drug therapy matters have moved ahead somewhat.
As recently as just over fifty years ago, a diagnosis of High Blood Pressure or Hypertension was in fact viewed as roughly identical to being given a form of death sentence. The prognosis was such that most medical experts knew that the high blood pressure would lead to a stroke, it was just that there was very little that a healthcare professional could do about it. The only aspect in question was where and when the stroke would occur.
The major treatment approach of High Blood Pressure Medication at the time largely consisted of advising patients to have a diet that was low in salt, lots of “bed rest” and possibly the use of sleeping pills.
Drug treatment for those suffering from High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) can significantly increase the lifespan and reduce mortality rates accordingly and to millions of people the world over (myself included) these drug related therapies have been very much a life saver.
However as with most things, the use of drug therapy, whilst extremely useful in most cases, is not always the best choice for people in certain cases.
For those suffering with moderately raised blood pressure, mild incidences of Hypertension and no incidences of Heart Problem, you can usually bring blood pressure down to normal levels in a bout a year of starting lifestyle changes. Changes like these can help sufferer’s of high blood pressure manage HBP over the longer term as well since as we all know Hypertension does not go away. Successful management of high blood pressure like this ensures that in some cases (and it does have to be stressed here that we are talking about some cases) the use of medication can and does become unnecessary.
Whenever and wherever, the instigation of non drug therapies is encouraged and even if not successful in isolation, the end result means that the amounts of drugs and the types used can be of a more reasonable amount and type.
We have to stress once again that whenever possible non drug “lifestyle therapies” such as the reduction in the intake and consumption of alcohol, reduction in the consumption of sodium related products, loss of weight, cutting back on and the possible cessation of smoking has to be encouraged. These are now being added to with increased usage of relaxation techniques and other “anti-stress” controls such as increased exercise.
The use of alternative non drug related therapies for some is not an option. In some cases, the phrase High Blood Pressure medication really does apply to drug related therapies. We plan to take a look at these therapies in subsequent articles.
Stephen Morgan
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/high-blood-pressure-and-the-use-of-medication-67485.html
5 comments ↓
If you have high blood pressure medication can you become an airline pilot?
I am on high blood pressure medication and I am wondering can I still become an airline pilot if my blood pressure is under control?
Depends how bad it is, get a test done before you spend ridiculous amounts of money on lessons
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It would depend on the medication. Best way to be sure is go to virtualflightsurgeon.com or get a list of AME's from the local airport and ask the question. Failing that, you can also call the FAA's Regional Flight Surgeon, and depending on the Region, they should answer the question.
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ATP, CFIIMEI, married to an AME.
Yes, you can have high blood pressure, within certain limits, as long as it is under control with exercise, diet or some approved medications. You need to do some research on this BEFORE you talk to an AME, because once the condition is reported to an AME. then your options are limited.
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the condition in its self is not disqualifying.
Centrally acting agents such as Guanethidine, Guanadrel, Guanabenz, Methyldopa, and Reserpine are not acceptable to the FAA.
The following medications are FAA approved on a case by case basis:
Alpha Blockers / Inhibitors
* Cardura (Doxazosin)
* Catapres (Clonidine)
* Dibenzyline (Phenoxybenzamine)
* Hytrin (Terazosin)
* Micardis (Telmisartan)
* Minipress, Minizide (Prazosin)
Beta Blockers
* Blocadren, Timolide (Timolol)
* Cartrol (Carteolol)
* Cibenzyline (Phenoxybenzamine)
* Coreg (Carvedilol)
* Corgard, Corzide (Nadolol)
* Inderal, Inderide, Innopran (Propranolol)
* Kerlone (Betaxolol)
* Levatol (Penbutolol)
* Lopressor, Toprol (Metoprolol)
* Normodyne, Trandate (Labetalol)
* Sectral (Acebutolol)
* Tenormin, Tenoretic (Atenolol)
* Visken (Pindolol)
* Zebeta, Ziac (Bisoprolol)
Calcium Channel Blockers
* Adalat, Procardia (Nifedipine)
* Caduet (Amlodipine Besylate + Atorvastatin Calcium)
* Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac (Diltiazem)
* Cardene (Nicardipine)
* Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Veralan, Tarka (Verapamil)
* DynaCirc (Isradipine)
* Norvasc, Lotrel (Amlodipine)
* Plendil, Lexxel (Felodipine)
* Posicor (Mibefradil)
* Sular (Nisoldipine)
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
* Aceon (Perindopril Erbumine)
* Accupril (Quinapril)
* Altace (Ramipril)
* Capoten, Capozide (Captopril)
* Lotensin (Benazepril)
* Mavik (Trandolapril)
* Monopril (Fosinopril)
* Prinivil, Prinzide, Zestril, Zestoretic (Lisinopril)
* Univasc, Unitrec (Moexipril)
* Vasotec, Vaseretic (Enalapril)
Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists
* Atacand (Candesartan)
* Avapro, Avalide (Irbesartan)
* Benicar (Olmesartan Medoxomil)
* Benicar HCT (Olmesartan Medoxomil + Hydrochlorothiazide)
* Cozaar, Hyzaar (Losartan)
* Diovan (Valsartan)
* Micardis (Telmisartan)
Diuretics
* Aldactone, Aldactazide (Spironolactone)
* Bumex (Bumetanide)
* Camadex, Demadex (Torsemide)
* Diuril, Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Oretic, Enduron (Thiazides)
* Dyazide, Maxzide, Moduretic (Combinations)
* Dyrenium (Triamterene)
* Lasix (Furosemide)
* Lozol (Indapamide)
* Mykrox (Metolazone)
* Zaroxolyn, Mykrox (Metolazone)
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